Former NFL RB Bo Jackson defended Oakland Raiders managing general partner Al Davis, saying Davis is miscast in too negative a light today, according to Bill Shaikin, of The Los Angeles Times. "Everybody stands up and says, 'Al Davis, that crazy SOB.' That isn't so. This is a man who would have fought a lion with a switch to defend his players," Jackson said. "From the time I left the Raiders he called my wife and I every Christmas, and he called my wife on her birthday and sent her flowers. That is the type of man Al Davis is. He will always remain one of the most distinguished men I've ever had the opportunity to shake hands with."

Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports Cincinnati Bengals WR Tab Perry (hip) has been cleared by doctors to do light running on a treadmill. Perry was placed on the Injured Reserve earlier this season, and the team had feared if he tried to come back too soon he would develop a permanent injury similar to what ended RB Bo Jackson's career.

Updating previous reports, a Southern California newspaper has apologized to former Raiders RB Bo Jackson for claiming he had used steroids, according to the Associated Press. "Jackson has stated publicly he has never used steroids," the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin said on its Web site. "We retract the quote and the further statement that the speaker personally witnessed this damage to his life. We apologize to Mr. Jackson, without reservation." It is unclear how the retraction would affect his defamation suit.

Former Oakland Raiders RB Bo Jackson has filed a defamation lawsuit against a California newspaper who quoted a dietary expert who said he had used steroids. The lawsuit, for which Jackson is seeking unspecified general and punitive damages, was filed against the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, MediaNews Group Inc., MediaNews Group Interactive, Inc., sports editor Jim Mohr and three other employees of the newspaper. Dan Biederman, Jackson's lawyer, said he also wants the newspaper to print a retraction of the story. "I've got nothing to hide," said Jackson, who denies having ever used steroids. "If anyone wants to check into my medical past, go get blood tests, go check up on those blood tests and see if there was any anabolic steroids in it. You're more than welcome."

Citing the Philadelphia Inquirer, ESPN.com reports Philadelphia Eagles FB Thomas Tapeh (hip) will not need surgery to repair a dislocated and fractured hip. The team dispelled concern that Tapeh's career was in jeopardy due to the devastating injury. "We had a trauma surgeon look at him here ... and she agreed that he is really not in that group that is in danger of having a Bo Jackson injury," team trainer Rick Burkholder said. Tapeh will use crutches for 12 weeks and will have to avoid putting pressure on his right leg during his rehabilitation.

Adam Teicher reports for the Kansas City Star Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes (hip) had arthroscopic hip surgery in Miami on Tuesday. He was expected to return to Kansas City Tuesday night. Coach Dick Vermeil indicated the visit was arranged long ago as part of Holmes' rehabilitation process. "They took an MRI, and it just looked like this procedure needed to be done," Vermeil said from Phoenix. "It's just like going in to remove scar tissue from a knee that's been operated on. It will help the process." Vermeil added Holmes' injury should not be compared to Bo Jackson's, which is good news. Vermeil said the surgery would push Holmes' rehab schedule back at least four to six weeks.

Updating previous reports, DetriotLions.com reports Detroit Lions head coach Steve Mariucci said WR Az-Zahir Hakim (hip) is still progressing from a dislocated hip he suffered in mid-November. “He is making good progress,” Mariucci said. “What we learned is that it doesn’t appear to be a ‘Bo Jackson’ type of situation. He seems to be on track to recovery.”

KcChiefs.com reports Kansas City Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said RB Priest Holmes (hip) will not be declared out until all the medical experts say so. Vermeil said he is optimistic about the long-term impact of Holmes' injury. "Optimistic that it's not a serious injury. Everyone wants to say Bo Jackson. We don't put it in that category." Vermeil was asked if Holmes would be a game-time decision and he replied, "It'll come down sooner than that. I think we'll know tomorrow. Right now it's very doubtful."

SportsLine.com reports 49ers RB Garrison Hearst's career may be in jeopardy. "This is an ominous development,'' general manager Bill Walsh stated. "It's just hard to believe any difficulty could occur from this. The injury was healed. He's been told to stay on crutches.'' There is now fear that avascular necrosis (the death of a bone or part of it due to lack of circulation) may have set in. In a similar injury situation, RB Bo Jackson's career was ended. RBs Charlie Garner and Harvey Williams will be in town tomorrow for a workout. "We're not suggesting he (Hearst) can't play,'' Walsh said. "We just want to cover ourselves.'' Team physician Michael Dillingham said the team is going to seek other opinions.

The Tampa Tribune reports that one year has made quite a difference in RB Mike Alstott's life. This time last year he was recovering from a painful hip injury and his 1998 season was in jeopardy. This year he's ready to have a full productive season. "I'm lean, I'm fast, I feel good, I feel strong," said Alstott, who tips the scales at a healthy 262 pounds. "And I'm not overweight, because I run just as fast as before. It's unbelievable what you can do when you have a whole year to consistently concentrate on it, instead of doing it in spurts." He grew tired of questions comparing his injury to former NFL player Bo Jackson's and says that all that is a thing of the past. He is also very confident on the Bucs chances this season as a team. "This year is unbelievable. If you look at our mini-camp compared to the last three years, there's no question about it,'' Alstott said. "We're getting better. We're going to be a championship organization."